Christer Pettersson dies

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Christer Pettersson has died in Karolinska University Hospital at the age of 57.

Pettersson died after suffering a brain haemorrage nearly two weeks ago. He was unconscious when he arrived at hospital, and did not regain consciousness before he died.

Pettersson was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1988 for the murder of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme, after being identified as the killer by Palme's wife, Lisbeth. He was later released on appeal, although it was reported in Expressen in 2001 that he had confessed to the killing. He later withdrew the confession.

DN reports that Pettersson asked to meet Mårten Palme, son of the late prime minister, a few days before he fell ill. Palme said that he was willing to meet Pettersson, but the meeting never took place.

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